Meanwhile, in Hot Spring Village, twenty kilometers from Konoha, Tsunade leaned back against the edge of a hot spring, her arms draped over her forehead, her demeanor somewhat dejected.
Namikaze Minato...
The image of that little blonde-haired guy kept flashing through her mind, and she sighed wistfully.
How did this happen?
When did it start?
Before she knew it, Minato had quietly taken over every corner of her life, his presence as harmless as it was pervasive.
He would shop for groceries with her and cook, patiently help her pick out clothes, soothe her when she was angry, play dice and cards with her, and even watch sunsets in the courtyard.
Though younger than Nawaki, he cared for him like an older brother.
And even she... he treated her with gentle care.
In truth, she had regretted leaving the village from the moment she left.
Especially when she thought about how that girl, Kushina, had always harbored designs on Minato, and her departure had only given her the opportunity to act.
A sourness rose in her heart.
But remembering her hasty and resolute departure, she couldn't bring herself to simply go back.
At least... I should develop that ninjutsu before going back, right?
Otherwise, it'd be too embarrassing!
But even if I go back, what can I possibly do?
Truthfully, the Shinobi World's customs are quite open-minded.
A fourteen-year age difference isn't an issue.
Even a master-disciple relationship doesn't stand in the way.
What truly makes Tsunade uncomfortable is Minato's current age!
The mere thought of... Never mind, better not dwell on it!
It's probably because Minato is only five years old that she's able to ignore the 'threat' he poses.
His precocious mind also makes her unconsciously overlook his age, leading to this shift in her feelings.
But that's the trouble with emotions: even when you can sort out your thoughts, you might not make a rational choice.
That's Tsunade's greatest torment right now.
Should I let nature take its course, or cut the Gordian knot?
She sat by the hot spring, deeply lost in thought.
How does Minato... see me?
Does he think I'm a pervert?
He's so clever; he must have noticed something, right?
How am I supposed to face him?
Suddenly, a puff of smoke exploded, and Tsunade felt her body sink. The hot spring water turned into warm, sticky mucus, and the surroundings went pitch black.
"Reverse Summoning?"
Tsunade reacted instantly.
Because the Shikkotsu Forest, where the Slug's true form resides, is unsuitable for human survival, Tsunade was directly enveloped within the Slug's body during each Reverse Summoning.
"Little Tsunade, someone has infiltrated your home. Minato asked me to notify you immediately. Additionally, Nawaki and Kushina are currently within my Clone's body, so you don't need to worry about them."
The Slug's voice echoed in the darkness before swiftly ending the Reverse Summoning.
Splash!
Tsunade plunged back into the hot spring water. After a brief moment of stunned silence, a fierce, murderous aura erupted from her eyes!
Minato is in danger!
Damn it, who did this?!
I've barely left Konoha, and someone's already targeting Minato?
Without bothering to dry herself, she quickly dressed and vaulted over the wooden fence surrounding the women's bath, rushing toward Konoha at top speed.
Meanwhile, at Tsunade's residence...
Minato and his two Wood Clones were eating, pondering the intruders' intentions.
Four individuals: one guarding Kushina's window, one stationed between his and Kushina's rooms, and the remaining two inside his room.
From their positioning, it was clear they intended to prevent him from assisting Kushina.
If that was their goal, the two in his room likely weren't there to kill him, but to detain him. After all, as the grandson of the First Hokage, Nawaki should have been prioritized for assassination.
This suggested the intruders were likely from within the village, with Danzo being the most probable culprit.
You never know until you've experienced it firsthand.
If it really is Danzo...
Heh!
Having made up his mind, Minato made a gesture.
"I'm full!"
Kushina put down her chopsticks. "I'm going to take a bath later, so you guys should eat a little slower~"
With that, she sauntered toward her room.
"I'm full too. Wait here, Kushina."
Minato hurried after her. "Did you finish reading the manga Nawaki lent you?"
"Yes, I'll get it for you when I get back to my room."
"Okay, thanks."
Minato called out to the living room, "Last one to finish eating has to do the dishes, Nawaki!"
"I know..." Nawaki replied resignedly.
Minato smiled and turned to enter the bedroom.
The moment the door closed, a drugged towel was pressed over his mouth!
Boom!
Minato vanished, leaving only a wooden log in his place.
"Substitution Jutsu?"
Two figures in Kumogakure attire, their faces concealed by masks, suddenly appeared in the room.
"Kumogakure ninja?"
Minato leaned against the wall, warily eyeing the two intruders.
"The plan failed. We'll have to act by force."
They exchanged a glance and swiftly charged at Minato.
Clang!
The metallic sound of clashing metal echoed through the bedroom.
After a brief exchange, Minato deliberately left two openings, confirming that the two before him had no intention to kill.
"Kushina! Quick!"
Pretending panic, Minato turned and smashed the window, plunging into the courtyard. The two men in the room immediately followed.
At that moment, the glass in Kushina's room shattered simultaneously. The lurkers outside her window and those lurking in the corridor completed their encirclement.
Thud!
In an instant, a long blade pierced Kushina's chest.
"Wood Release: Rooting Technique!"
Thud!
With a dull sound, a sharp tree branch stabbed into the assassin's body, catching him off guard.
"A Wood Clone! We've been exposed!"
The branch inside him suddenly burst open, sprouting countless branches within his body. He collapsed to the ground, impaled like a porcupine. The other man in the room quickly shouted into the courtyard.
Minato's expression hardened. "So it was all about Kushina after all..."
"If our target isn't here, what do we do?"
"Mission failed. Retreat!"
Yamagui didn't hesitate. They were still wearing the skin of Kumogakure, and it wasn't yet time to die.
Though completely loyal to Danzo, they still possessed basic survival instincts.
As soon as the words were spoken, the three of them vanished from the courtyard without a trace, scattering in different directions.
"Hmph..."
Minato didn't rush to pursue them. He was about to examine the bodies when a violent explosion suddenly rocked Kushina's room.
Destroying the evidence...
Minato sensed the direction of their escape, his smile turning icy.
He had always believed that the true power of Wood Release wasn't its destructive force, but its versatility.
Growth, construction, reconnaissance, endurance, and... parasitism!
This inspiration had come from the Clone Seed. While the seed itself was still too large, its spores were remarkably stealthy...
If it really was Danzo, even the Third Hokage wouldn't be able to protect him, because Minato had no intention of giving him that chance.
He had no intention of reasoning with him...
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